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Thread: Solar noob

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    BiPolar Fool BSRT.Beast's Avatar
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    Solar noob

    As the title suggests I know nothing about solar power.

    Got myself a 120w panel to attach to my roof rack on a permanent basis.

    What else do I need.

    p.s. remember keep it simple I have no idea at all.

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    Administrator AB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BSRT.Beast View Post
    As the title suggests I know nothing about solar power. Got myself a 120w panel to attach to my roof rack on a permanent basis. What else do I need. p.s. remember keep it simple I have no idea at all.
    Do you know if it has a regulator at the back of the panel?

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    BiPolar Fool BSRT.Beast's Avatar
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    no idea its still in the box which is at my mums with all my other stuff.

    but its this one if it helps
    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-120W-...item4d3745e5cc

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    Patrol Freak
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    If you want a good simple but excellent reference book, then grab a copy of Collyn Rivers book called 'Solar that Really Works'. He also does one on Camper Trailers that explains it all as well. Find it online at his website.

    However, the simplest system just needs the panel, regulator and appropriate cabling and lugs to link it to your battery. Your 120W panel is a good minimum starting point for most, but your required solar capacity really depends on your usage (how many items draw from your battery).
    Between Patrols ATM. Had a beaut GU with 6.5 Chev TD. Next is a GU ute with a 4.5 litre Cummins conversion and a camper on the back.

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    I am he, fear me the evil twin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BSRT.Beast View Post
    no idea its still in the box which is at my mums with all my other stuff.

    but its this one if it helps
    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-120W-...item4d3745e5cc
    You will need a Charge Controller AKA Solar Regulator for that panel.
    A 10 amp one will suffice unless you plan on adding more panels.

    I find that 120 Watts of Panel more than covers my camping needs but everyone is different
    Last edited by the evil twin; 14th September 2015 at 07:16 PM.
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    BiPolar Fool BSRT.Beast's Avatar
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    We have 2 50l fridges and a coleman hot water on demand unit. We camp for up to a week and a half at a time.

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20A-12V-2...id=p5731.m3795

    If needed we will get a folding panel and this controller thing comes in 10/20 and 30 amp.

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    Patrol Guru blocko05's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FNQGU View Post
    If you want a good simple but excellent reference book, then grab a copy of Collyn Rivers book called 'Solar that Really Works'. He also does one on Camper Trailers that explains it all as well. Find it online at his website.

    However, the simplest system just needs the panel, regulator and appropriate cabling and lugs to link it to your battery. Your 120W panel is a good minimum starting point for most, but your required solar capacity really depends on your usage (how many items draw from your battery).
    I agree with FNQGU. for a simple set up you will need a regulator and cabling. You need to add up how much amps you are drawing from all your equipment as well as knowing your battery capacity to start with. Just remember that you only get about 5 - 6 hours a day a good light in ideal conditions to calculate your amps in from your panel. Yours will make approx 36amp/h per day in ideal light conditions with that panel. If you are using more than that then add another panel. Don't let your battery run down more than 50% or it will shorten the life of the battery considerably. If you get the book it will explain all this in lamens terms.

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    Patrol God threedogs's Avatar
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    Not convinced mounting them on the roof is a perfect setup.
    reason being you need to park the Patrol in the sun for the Panels to do their thing.
    Any fridge inside will be working harder to remain cool, something to think about.
    If you have them free standing atleast you can "CHASE" the sun better during the day.
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    Administrator AB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by threedogs View Post
    Not convinced mounting them on the roof is a perfect setup. reason being you need to park the Patrol in the sun for the Panels to do their thing. Any fridge inside will be working harder to remain cool, something to think about. If you have them free standing atleast you can "CHASE" the sun better during the day.
    Have to agree with 3d here. My bro ended up removing his from his roof rack and uses brackets now.

    He was not getting sufficient charge mounted under the rack directly pointing upwards.

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    Under the roof rack though is really not ideal because once you get a little bit of shadow on the panels they really drop in their efficiency.

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